Method, Apparatus and Computer Program Product for Providing Closed Subscriber Group Access Control

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for providing closed subscriber group access control may include a processor. The processor may be configured to maintain a non-access register including an identifier of a communication cell associated with a closed subscriber group to which a communication device associated with the non-access register does not have access rights, and enable subsequent communication with another communication cell based on the other communication cell not being identified in the non-access register. A corresponding method and computer program product are also provided.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to communicationstechnology and, more particularly, relate to an apparatus, method andcomputer program product for enabling control over closed subscribergroup access.

BACKGROUND

The modern communications era has brought about a tremendous expansionof wireline and wireless networks. Computer networks, televisionnetworks, and telephony networks are experiencing an unprecedentedtechnological expansion, fueled by consumer demand. Wireless and mobilenetworking technologies have addressed related consumer demands, whileproviding more flexibility and immediacy of information transfer.

Current and future networking technologies continue to facilitate easeof information transfer and convenience to users. In order to provideeasier or faster information transfer and convenience, telecommunicationindustry service providers are developing improvements to existingnetworks. In this regard, wireless communication has become increasinglypopular in recent years due, at least in part, to reductions in size andcost along with improvements in battery life and computing capacity ofmobile electronic devices. As such, mobile electronic devices havebecome more capable, easier to use, and cheaper to obtain. Due to thenow ubiquitous nature of mobile electronic devices, people of all agesand education levels are utilizing mobile terminals to communicate withother individuals or contacts, receive services and/or shareinformation, media and other content.

Communication networks and technologies have been developed and expandedto provide robust support for mobile electronic devices. For example,the evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS)terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) is also currently beingdeveloped. The E-UTRAN, which is also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE)or 3.9G, is aimed at upgrading prior technologies by improvingefficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of newspectrum opportunities, and providing better integration with other openstandards. In a typical network configuration mobile users communicatewith each other via communication links maintained by the network. Inthis regard, for example, an originating station may typicallycommunicate data to network devices in order for the network devices torelay the data to a target station.

Recently, efforts have been made to enable the provision of closedsubscriber groups (CSGs) to enable restricted access to particular CSGcells for particular groups of subscribers. CSGs may be useful forparticular organizations or businesses that wish to define a group ofusers that may be enabled to freely access a base station, node oraccess point associated with the CSG, but may have restrictions forenabling access to the cell by individuals outside of the group. CSGsmay also be useful in connection with individually established networkswithin private homes. In this regard, for example, a CSG may typicallydefine a group of users (e.g., subscribers) that are enabled to access aparticular CSG cell. As such, individuals that are not members of thegroup may not be able to access the CSG cell. In some situations,subscribers may be members of multiple CSGs. In practice, a CSG may beassociated with one or more cells served by access points, base sites ornode-Bs that may provide access to subscribers of the CSG.

Current communication standards enable a particular users mobileterminal or user equipment (UE) to discover possible CSG cells withwhich the UE may attempt to communicate using an autonomous searchprocedure. UEs may also manually attempt to communicate with CSG cells.The UE may then, if the attempt to communicate is successful, add theCSG or CSG identity to a “whitelist”. The whitelist may include alisting of the CSGs to which the UE knows it has access (e.g., either byprior manual access or the network providing the UE with the list bydedicated signaling). However, there is currently no provision forresolution of activities in response to the UE receiving a denial ofaccess to a particular CSG.

Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide a mechanism for enablingimproved control over the provision of CSG access.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A method, apparatus and computer program product are therefore providedthat may enable the provision of CSG access control. In this regard, forexample, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may enable themaintenance of a “blacklist” or forbidden list including a listing oridentification of CSGs for which the UE has been rejected access. Thus,for example, if the UE attempts to access a CSG and is denied access,the UE may not increase signaling and power consumption or use othernetwork resources to again or repeatedly attempt to access any CSG onthe blacklist in the future.

In one exemplary embodiment, a method of providing closed subscribergroup access control is provided. The method may include maintaining anon-access register including an identifier of a communication cellassociated with a closed subscriber group to which a communicationdevice associated with the non-access register does not have accessrights, and enabling subsequent communication with another communicationcell based on the other communication cell not being identified in thenon-access register.

In another exemplary embodiment, a computer program product forproviding closed subscriber group access control is provided. Thecomputer program product includes at least one computer-readable storagemedium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein.The computer-executable program code portions may include first andsecond program code portions. The first program code portion may be formaintaining a non-access register including an identifier of acommunication cell associated with a closed subscriber group to which acommunication device associated with the non-access register does nothave access rights. The second program code portion may be for enablingsubsequent communication with another communication cell based on theother communication cell not being identified in the non-accessregister.

In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for providing closedsubscriber group access control is provided. The apparatus may include aprocessor that may be configured to maintain a non-access registerincluding an identifier of a communication cell associated with a closedsubscriber group to which a communication device associated with thenon-access register does not have access rights, and enable subsequentcommunication with another communication cell based on the othercommunication cell not being identified in the non-access register.

In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for providing closedsubscriber group access control is provided. The apparatus includesmeans for maintaining a non-access register including an identifier of acommunication cell associated with a closed subscriber group to which acommunication device associated with the non-access register does nothave access rights, and enabling subsequent communication with anothercommunication cell based on the other communication cell not beingidentified in the non-access register.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for providing closedsubscriber group access control according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a control flow diagram showingcommunication between entities related to providing closed subscribergroup access control according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart according to an exemplary method of providingclosed subscriber group access control according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed,various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like referencenumerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms“data,” “content,” “information” and similar terms may be usedinterchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, receivedand/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.Moreover, the term “exemplary”, as used herein, is not provided toconvey any qualitative assessment, but instead merely to convey anillustration of an example. Thus, use of any such terms should not betaken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram showing a system forproviding closed subscriber group access control according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided. However, FIG.1 is illustrative of one exemplary embodiment, and it should beunderstood that other architectures including additional or even fewerelements may also be employed in connection with practicing embodimentsof the present invention. Furthermore, the system of FIG. 1 illustratesa network embodied as an E-UTRAN, however, any other network couldalternatively be substituted in alternative embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the system may include an E-UTRAN 20 which mayinclude, among other things, a plurality of node-Bs in communicationwith an EPC 30 which may include one or more mobility managemententities (MMEs) such as MME 32 and one or more system architectureevolution (SAE) gateways. The node-Bs may be E-UTRAN node-Bs (e.g., eNBs40 and 42) and may also be in communication with a UE 50 and one or moreother UEs (some of which may be members of a closed subscriber group(CSG)). Although FIG. 1 only shows a specific number of eNBs and UEs,there could be a plurality of nodes and mobile terminals included in thesystem. The E-UTRAN 20 may be in communication with the EPC 30 as partof an EPS (Evolved Packet System). Moreover, although FIG. 1 showsevolved node-Bs as the access points (APs), any AP or base station (BS)may be employed in connection with embodiments that operate inaccordance with other radio access technologies.

In an exemplary embodiment, the UE 50 may be a communication device suchas a computer (e.g., a personal computer, laptop, server, or the like),a mobile telephone, global positioning system (GPS) device, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), pager, mobile television, gaming device,camera, audio/video player, radio, or any combination of theaforementioned, and other types of electronic devices that may include aprocessor and/or memory for executing various hardware and/or softwareprocesses. The UE 50 may be configured to employ processing inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention as described ingreater detail below in connection with the description of FIG. 2.

Although not necessary, in some embodiments, the UE 50 may be capable ofcommunicating in accordance with any one or more of a number offirst-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, third-generation(3G), 3.5G, 3.9G, fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication protocols,LTE, and/or the like. As such, for example, the UE 50 may communicatewith other UEs or network devices via a network and the UE 50 mayinclude an antenna or antennas for transmitting signals to and forreceiving signals from a base site, which could be, for example a basestation that is a part of one or more cellular or mobile networks or anaccess point that may be coupled to a data network, such as a local areanetwork (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), and/or a wide areanetwork (WAN), such as the Internet. In turn, other devices such asprocessing elements (e.g., personal computers, server computers or thelike) may be coupled to the UE 50. By directly or indirectly connectingthe UE 50 to other devices, the UE 50 may be enabled to communicate withthe other devices, for example, according to numerous communicationprotocols including Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and/or the like,to thereby carry out various communication or other functions of the UE50.

The eNBs 40 and 42 may provide E-UTRA user plane and control plane(radio resource control (RRC)) protocol terminations for the UE 50 andother UEs. The eNBs 40 and 42 may provide functionality hosting for suchfunctions as radio resource management, radio bearer control, radioadmission control, connection mobility control, dynamic allocation ofresources to UEs in both uplink and downlink, selection of an MME at UEattachment, Internet Protocol (IP) header compression and encryption,scheduling of paging and broadcast information, routing of data,measurement and measurement reporting for configuration mobility, and/orthe like. Each eNB may, in some cases, represent a separate cell capableof servicing UEs within the cell with respect to communication servicesin accordance with E-UTRAN techniques. The cells may overlap in somecases. However, it should be understood that embodiments of the presentinvention may be applied to numerous wireless access technologies andnot just E-UTRAN. Thus, communication cells as described herein may beassociated with any AP, BS or node associated with respective differentaccess technologies such as, for example, radio frequency (RF),Bluetooth (BT), Infrared (IR), wireless local area networks (WLAN),Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), WiFi,ultra-wide band (UWB), Wibree, wideband code division multiple access(W-CDMA), CDMA2000, global system for mobile communications (GSM),general packet radio service (GPRS) and/or the like.

The MME 32 may host functions such as distribution of messages torespective node-Bs, security control, idle state mobility control, EPSbearer control, ciphering and integrity protection, and/or the like. Inan exemplary embodiment, the MME 32 may include an access controlmanager 36, which may be configured to determine whether network accessis to be allowed or rejected for particular users. The SAE gateway mayhost functions such as termination and switching of certain packets forpaging and support of UE mobility. In an exemplary embodiment, the EPC30 may provide connection to a network such as the Internet.

In an exemplary embodiment, one or more CSGs may be defined and may beserviced by a particular eNB (e.g., eNBs 40 and 42). Thus, for example,if the UE 50 is in an area (e.g., a cell) where communication with eNB42 is possible, the UE 50 may be aware that potential communication withthe eNB 42 is possible. Similarly, if the UE 50 is in an area wherecommunication with eNB 40 is possible, the UE 50 may also be aware thatpotential communication with the eNB 40 is possible. However, if theeNBs 40 and 42 are associated with CSGs, access restrictions may applywith respect to the UE 50.

In this regard, for example, if one assumes that eNB 40 is associatedwith a CSG to which UE 50 does not have access rights, the UE 50 may beprevented from accessing the CSG associated with eNB 40. However, if eNB42 is associated with a CSG to which the UE 50 has access rights, the UE50 may be enabled to access the CSG associated with the eNB 42. As such,for example, the eNB 42 may be considered to be associated with anaccessible CSG cell with respect to the UE 50 and the eNB 40 may beconsidered to be associated with a non-accessible cell with respect tothe UE 50.

In an exemplary embodiment, the UE 50 may include an access manager(e.g., access manager 80 described in greater detail below), that may beconfigured to provide CSG access control functionality in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment. In this regard, for example, the accessmanager 80 may be configured to maintain or store identities of cellsthat are not accessible to the UE 50 in order, for example, to preventthe UE 50 from consuming resources by making multiple access attempts tonon-accessible CSG cells. Accordingly, for example, the access manager80 may store a whitelist including a listing of CSG cells for which theUE 50 has access rights and/or a blacklist or forbidden list including alisting of CSG cells for which the UE 50 does not have access rights.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram view of one example of an apparatusconfigured to perform exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Inthis regard, for example, an apparatus for providing CSG access controlaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may beembodied as or otherwise employed, for example, on a mobile terminalsuch as the UE 50. However, it should be noted that the apparatus ofFIG. 2, may also be employed on a variety of other devices, both mobileand fixed, and therefore, embodiments of the present invention shouldnot necessarily be limited to application on devices such as mobileterminals. It should also be noted that while FIG. 2 illustrates oneexample of a configuration of an apparatus for enabling the provision ofCSG access control, numerous other configurations may also be used toimplement embodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an apparatus for enabling the provision of CSGaccess control is provided. The apparatus may include or otherwise be incommunication with a processor 70, a user interface 72, a communicationinterface 74 and a memory device 76. The memory device 76 may include,for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory. The memory device 76may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructionsor the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions inaccordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Forexample, the memory device 76 could be configured to buffer input datafor processing by the processor 70. Additionally or alternatively, thememory device 76 could be configured to store instructions for executionby the processor 70. As yet another alternative, the memory device 76may be one of a plurality of databases that store information and/ormedia content.

The processor 70 may be embodied in a number of different ways. Forexample, the processor 70 may be embodied as various processing meanssuch as a processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or variousother processing devices including integrated circuits such as, forexample, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA(field programmable gate array), a hardware accelerator, or the like. Inan exemplary embodiment, the processor 70 may be configured to executeinstructions stored in the memory device 76 or otherwise accessible tothe processor 70.

Meanwhile, the communication interface 74 may be any means such as adevice or circuitry embodied in either hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software that is configured to receiveand/or transmit data from/to a network and/or any other device or modulein communication with the apparatus. In this regard, the communicationinterface 74 may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas)and supporting hardware and/or software for enabling communications witha wireless communication network. In fixed environments, thecommunication interface 74 may alternatively or also support wiredcommunication. As such, the communication interface 74 may include acommunication modem and/or other hardware/software for supportingcommunication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serialbus (USB) or other mechanisms.

The user interface 72 may be in communication with the processor 70 toreceive an indication of a user input at the user interface 72 and/or toprovide an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user. Assuch, the user interface 72 may include, for example, a keyboard, amouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen, a microphone, a speaker,or other input/output mechanisms. In an exemplary embodiment in whichthe apparatus is embodied as a server or some other network devices, theuser interface 72 may be limited, or eliminated. However, in anembodiment in which the apparatus is embodied as a communication device(e.g., the UE 50), the user interface 72 may include, among otherdevices or elements, any or all of a speaker, a microphone, a display,and a keyboard or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 70 may be embodied as, includeor otherwise control an access manager 80. The access manager 80 may beany means such as a device or circuitry embodied in hardware, softwareor a combination of hardware and software (e.g., processor 70 operatingunder software control) that is configured to perform the correspondingfunctions of the access manager 80 as described below. In someembodiments, communication between the access manager 80 and otherdevices may be conducted via the processor 70. However, the accessmanager 80 could alternatively communicate with other devices orelements directly or via the communication interface 74.

The access manager 80 may be configured to store information (e.g., inthe memory device 76 or in an internal memory) regarding access controlfor CSG cells. In this regard, for example, the access manager 80 may beconfigured to store information related to non-accessible CSG cells. Inan exemplary embodiment, the access manager 80 may be configured tocreate, update and/or maintain at least a non-access register 82 (e.g.,a blacklist or forbidden list) including identities of non-accessibleCSG cells. In some embodiments, the access manager 80 may further beconfigured to store information relating to accessible CSG cells aswell. Thus, for example, the access manager 80 may be configured tocreate, update and/or maintain an access register 84 (e.g., a whitelist)including identities of accessible CSG cells. However, in someembodiments functionality regarding maintaining the whitelist may beperformed by a different device, or in a different manner exclusive fromthe scope of embodiments of the present invention.

In an exemplary embodiment, the access manager 80 may be configured tohandle or assist in relation to attempts by the user or the UE 50 toaccess a CSG cell. As such, for example, a registration procedure maytake place in which the network may check as to whether the UE hasaccess rights to the CSG cell. If access is granted, the access manager80 may be configured to update the access register 84 to include anidentity (e.g., a unique cell identity, a group of cell identities or agroup identifier such as a location area identifier (LAI) (e.g., if theCSG cell includes more than one cell), and/or the like) of the CSG cell.Meanwhile, if access is not granted, the network may inform the UE 50that access will not be granted and the non-access register 82 may beupdated as described below. The identity of the CSG cell may begenerally referred to as a CSG cell identifier. In some instances, theeNB (e.g., eNB 42) of each cell, or at least CSG cells, may broadcastits CSG cell identifier. Alternatively, the CSG cell identifier of aparticular node, AP or BS may be provided via standardized signaling.

In situations in which the UE 50 received notice that access is not tobe granted to the UE 50, the access manager 80 may be configured tomonitor communications between the UE 50 and the network (e.g., the eNB42). Thus, if the network issues a rejection (in some cases along with areason for the rejection, which may be a standard rejection message) ofaccess to the UE 50, the access manager 80 may be configured to recordan identity of the CSG cell in the non-access register 82.

In some embodiments, the specific information stored by the accessmanager 80 in the non-access register 82 may be varied. In this regard,in addition to the alternatives described above for identifying CSGcells, various alternatives may also exist for the storage ofsupplemental information along with the identification of the cell orcells that are non-accessible. For example, temporal information such asthe time and/or date of the rejection, location information such as theposition of the UE 50 at the time of the rejection, the reported causefor the rejection, and other information may be stored in associationwith the information indicative of the non-accessible cell identities.As such, for example, a list may be maintained for storing informationthat is specific to a particular rejection so that the UE 50 maydistinguish a CSG case from already existing location area (LA) and/ortracking area (TA) cases.

Subsequently, the UE 50 may utilize the information stored in thenon-access register 82 during mobility procedures to avoid attempting tocamp in a cell that is identified in the non-access register 82.Accordingly, resources may be spared that might otherwise have beendevoted to servicing another request by the UE 50 for access to thecell. Notably, the non-access register 82 may be utilized for both idlemode mobility procedures (e.g., autonomous cell reselection) and activemode mobility procedures (e.g., handover). Moreover, embodiments of thepresent invention may apply to autonomous mobility and manual CSG accessattempts by a user.

In an exemplary embodiment, the access manager 80 may employ varioustechniques for managing the non-access register 82. For example, ratherthan just enabling updates to the non-access register 82 (and/or theaccess register 84) with respect to new identities to be added to theregister, the access manager 80 may enable updates with respect tostatus as well. For example, if a CSG cell is identified on thenon-access register 82, but at some later point the access requirementsfor the CSG cell are changed (or the UE 50 becomes a subscriber), theaccess manager 80 may receive an update with regard to the status of theCSG cell so that the CSG cell may be removed from the non-accessregister 82. Thus, the UE 50 may not be prevented from re-attempting toaccess the CSG cell at a later date. The updates with regard to statusmay be provided by the network. Furthermore, in some instances, thenetwork may provide a listing of CSG identifiers based on the locationof a particular UE and known CSGs with exclusive access requirementsproximate to the location.

As another example of supplemental information that may be stored inassociation with CSG cell identities, time-based validity informationmay also be stored. In this regard, for example, a timing value defininga period of time during which the CSG cell identity should be consideredblacklisted may also be stored. In some embodiments, rather than storingtime-based validity information, CSG cell identities stored in thenon-access register 82 may be maintained for a limited period of time.As such, for example, each entry in the non-access register 82 may bemaintained for a limited period of time that may be maintained by atimer 86 or timing function. The timer 86 may be configured to count upor down or provide a signal or notification to the access manager 80 ata date and/or time offset from a start time by a predetermined period oftime. In some embodiments, the timer 86 may be signaled or controlled bya network entity (e.g., by broadcast or dedicated signaling) or otherstandard signaling to inform the timer 86 of the amount of time forwhich a particular CSG cell identity should be maintained. Thus, forexample, the timer 86 could be controlled by, or in communication with,the processor 70, the access manager 80 and/or the non-access register82 in order to monitor the non-access register 82 with respect tomaintaining stored CSG cell identities for time periods defined eitherby signaling from the network or by a predetermined amount of time. Inan exemplary embodiment, the timer 86 may operate in a stand alonemanner beginning to count for each new entry a predetermined amount oftime, or a time period defined by the network, in response to theaddition of the new entry. After the expiration of the time period orpredetermined amount of time, the timer 86 may signal the access manager80 to enable the access manager 80 to delete a corresponding CSG cellidentity that has timed out from the non-access register 82.

FIG. 3 shows a control flow diagram illustrating signaling and responsesof various entities in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the UE may initially be in idlemode at operation 100. However, as discussed above, active or connectedmode operation may also be supported. In the idle mode, the UE mayperform normal mobility related measurements and cell reselections. Insome instances, the user may initiate a manual search for CSGs. As shownat block 102, the network environment in which the UE is located mayinclude both CSG and non-CSG cells. Thus, for example, the UE may havemeasurements for a CSG cell that would suggest that reselection beconducted to the CSG cell. At operation 104, a cell change may beprompted. In this regard, for example, after a successful CSG search,the user may select a CSG cell and the UE may attempt to camp on the CSGcell by initiating registration procedures. As an alternative, the UEmay autonomously enter the CSG cell and initiate registration (e.g.,based on the measurements).

At operation 106, random access channel (RACH) procedures may beconducted between the UE and the CSG cell. As such, the UE may issue aCSG registration request at operation 108. If the UE does not haveaccess rights (e.g., is not a subscriber) for the CSG cell, the network(e.g., a processor of a network device of the E-UTRAN executinginstructions stored in a memory device) may issue a CSG registrationreject message at operation 110. The reject message may include a CSGcell identifier of the CSG cell (and/or a list of CSG identifiers) andpotentially also supplemental information as described above. Atoperation 112, the access manager of the UE may store the CSG cellidentifier to the non-access register 82 (e.g., the forbidden list orblacklist). Thereafter, the UE may perform cell selection orre-selection to another cell that is not part of the same CSG.Furthermore, at operation 114, the UE may stop camping on the CSG celland perform a cell change.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a system, method and program product accordingto exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will be understood thateach block or step of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart, can be implemented by various means, such as hardware,firmware, and/or software including one or more computer programinstructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described abovemay be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, thecomputer program instructions which embody the procedures describedabove may be stored by a memory device of a mobile terminal or node andexecuted by a processor in the mobile terminal or node. As will beappreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto acomputer or other programmable apparatus (i.e., hardware) to produce amachine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer orother programmable apparatus create means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block(s) or step(s). These computer programinstructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that candirect a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in aparticular manner, such that the instructions stored in thecomputer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture includinginstruction means which implement the function specified in theflowchart block(s) or step(s). The computer program instructions mayalso be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process suchthat the instructions which execute on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block(s) or step(s).

Accordingly, blocks or steps of the flowchart support combinations ofmeans for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps forperforming the specified functions and program instruction means forperforming the specified functions. It will also be understood that oneor more blocks or steps of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks orsteps in the flowchart, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions orsteps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

In this regard, one embodiment of a method for providing CSG accesscontrol as provided in FIG. 4 may include maintaining a non-accessregister including an identifier of a communication cell associated witha closed subscriber group to which a communication device associatedwith the non-access register does not have access rights at operation200 and enabling subsequent communication with another communicationcell based on the other communication cell not being identified in thenon-access register at operation 220. As used herein, the termcommunication cell should be understood to correspond to an area coveredby a wireless communication node, access point or base site. As such, acommunication cell as referred to herein, need not be limited toassociation with cellular communications, but instead refers to areascovered by an associated wireless transmitter that may operate inaccordance with any of a plurality of different communication protocolssuch as those listed above.

In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may bemodified or further amplified as described below. It should beappreciated that each of the modifications or amplifications below maybe included with the operations above either alone or in combinationwith any others among the features described hereafter. In this regard,for example, maintaining the non-access register may include storingsupplemental information associated with the identifier in thenon-access register. In another exemplary embodiment, maintaining thenon-access register may include updating the non-access register basedon changes in status with respect to accessibility of the closedsubscriber group. In some embodiments, enabling subsequent communicationmay include blocking attempts to access a cell in the non-accessregister, but otherwise allowing such attempts.

In some exemplary embodiments, further optional operations may beincluded, examples of which are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4. In thisregard, the method may further include maintaining an access registerincluding an identifier of each closed subscriber group communicationcell to which the communication device has access rights at operation210. If the access register is also maintained, enabling subsequentcommunication may include blocking attempts to access a cell identifiedin the non-access register and allowing subsequent attempts to access acell identified in the access register.

In an exemplary embodiment, operation 200 may be further defined byadditional operations. In this regard, for example, maintaining thenon-access register may include monitoring attempts by the communicationdevice to access communication cells at operation 202 and storingidentifiers of each communication cell to which access is denied basedon the communication cell to which access is denied being associatedwith the closed subscriber group at operation 204. In some instances,storing the identifiers may include storing the identifiers for apredetermined period of time. Furthermore, in some cases, storing theidentifiers for the predetermined period of time may include storing theidentifiers for a time period provided by a network device.

In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for performing the method abovemay include a processor (e.g., the processor 70) configured to performeach of the operations (200-220) described above. The processor may, forexample, be configured to perform the operations by executing storedinstructions or an algorithm for performing each of the operations.Alternatively, the apparatus may include means for performing each ofthe operations described above. In this regard, according to anexemplary embodiment, examples of means for performing operations 200 to220 may include, for example, an algorithm for managing registrationoperations and maintenance of the non-access register (and possibly alsothe access register). As such, for example, means for performingoperation 200 to 220 may include the access manager 80 and/or theprocessor 70.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certainexemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scopeof the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

1. A method comprising: maintaining a non-access register including anidentifier of a communication cell associated with a closed subscribergroup to which a communication device associated with the non-accessregister does not have access rights; and enabling subsequentcommunication with another communication cell based on the othercommunication cell not being identified in the non-access register. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining an access registerincluding an identifier of each closed subscriber group communicationcell to which the communication device has access rights.
 3. The methodof claim 2, wherein enabling subsequent communication comprises blockingattempts to access a cell identified in the non-access register andallowing subsequent attempts to access a cell identified in the accessregister.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein maintainingthe non-access register comprises monitoring attempts by thecommunication device to access communication cells and storingidentifiers of each communication cell to which access is denied basedon the communication cell to which access is denied being associatedwith the closed subscriber group.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereinstoring the identifiers comprises storing the identifiers for apredetermined period of time.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein storingthe identifiers for the predetermined period of time comprises storingthe identifiers for a time period provided by a network device.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein maintaining the non-access register comprisesupdating the non-access register based on changes in status with respectto accessibility of the closed subscriber group.
 9. A computer programproduct comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable program code instructions stored therein, thecomputer-executable program code instructions comprising: first programcode instructions for maintaining a non-access register including anidentifier of a communication cell associated with a closed subscribergroup to which a communication device associated with the non-accessregister does not have access rights; and second program codeinstructions for enabling subsequent communication with anothercommunication cell based on the other communication cell not beingidentified in the non-access register.
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled) 12.(canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)17. An apparatus comprising a processor configured to: maintain anon-access register including an identifier of a communication cellassociated with a closed subscriber group to which a communicationdevice associated with the non-access register does not have accessrights; and enable subsequent communication with another communicationcell based on the other communication cell not being identified in thenon-access register.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein theprocessor is further configured to maintain an access register includingan identifier of each closed subscriber group communication cell towhich the communication device has access rights.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 18, wherein the processor is configured to enable subsequentcommunication via blocking attempts to access a cell identified in thenon-access register and allowing subsequent attempts to access a cellidentified in the access register.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the processor is configured to maintain the non-accessregister by monitoring attempts by the communication device to accesscommunication cells and storing identifiers of each communication cellto which access is denied based on the communication cell to whichaccess is denied being associated with the closed subscriber group. 22.The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured to storethe identifiers by storing the identifiers for a predetermined period oftime.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is configuredto store the identifiers for the predetermined period of time by storingthe identifiers for a time period provided by a network device.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to maintainthe non-access register by updating the non-access register based onchanges in status with respect to accessibility of the closed subscribergroup.
 25. (canceled)
 26. (canceled)